Omaha daily bee., 1887-03-08
The Pacific Railroad iss: on.

luc IdClItC lNdIIrOuu SOInInISSiOH.
The president has another important
and delicate duty to perform in selecting
the members of the Pacific railroad COM
mission. 1t is reported from Washing
ton that the railroads will seek to control
the appointments. If they fail in this
they will undoubtedly seek to control or
manipulate the commission, and there
fore the president cannot exercise too
much care in appointing men not only Of
the necessary ability, but of the very
highest character, who will be proof
against all of the many corrupting influ-
cnces and methods that may be employed
to secure conclusions favorable to
the corporations. We expressed our dis.
approval of this legislation while it was
pending, on the ground that ii could only
serve to prolong to the interested corpo
ratons the opportunity to plunder the
people, while withholding from the gov
ernment obligations long overdue. We
do not anticipate from the investigation
any important developments not already
known and easily accessible. But the in.
vestigatiOn by commission having been
ordered it is most desirable that it shall
be thoroughly and faithfully prosecuted,
and that the men upon whom this duty is
devolved shall be of the requisite ability
and unquestioned integrity. 1t is pre-
sumed that the president fully
appreciates this consideration.
The bill provides for three commission.
ers, whose duty it will be to examine into
the working and financial management of
all the Pacific railroads that have received
aid from the government IN bonds, to
ascertain whether they have observed all
the obligations imposed upon them, and
whether their books and accounts are, or
have been. so kept as to show the net
| earnings of the aided roads, or whether
there has been diversion of earnings OF
aided roads to less productive branches,
or to wrongful or improper purposes.
The commission will ascertain whether
there is discrimination of rates in favor
of unaided against aided roads, whether
any, and If so, how much money is due
and owing to the United States OH ac'
connt of mistaken or erroneous accounts
reports, or settlements made by said
roads. 1t will also inquire into the kind,
character and amount Of assets, and what
assets are now subject to tho lien of the
government; also whether any dividends
have been unlawfully declared by the
directors or paid to the stockholders OF
the companies, and II SO, to what exten
and whether the amount thereof may
not be recovered. 1t will ascertain
whether any new stock or bonds have
been issued without authority of law
what amounts of money or credit have
been or are now loaned or borrowed by
auy OF said companies to any person or cor
poration, what amounts of money or Other
valuable consideration, such as stocks
bonds, passes, and SO forth, have bee
expended or paid out by said companies
and whether the railroads have paid
money or other valuable consideration
or done any other act or thing, for th,
purpose of influencing legislation. Tht
commission will investigate and repor
all the facts relating to an alleged con
solidation of the Union Pacific railroad
company, the Kansas Pacific railway
company and the Denver Pacific railwa,
and telegraph company into an alleged
corporation known as the Union Pacifi,
railway company. 1t Is also authorized
to consider and report whether the in
tcrcsts of the United States require an,
extension of the time for performance O
the obligations to the United States o
SAID companies or any OF them.
1t will be seen that the scope of the in
vestigatiou provided for by the law
} very comprehensive, and if it were at al
necessary to expend 100000 to obtai
this information the law is doubtless al
] that could be desired for the purpose
1t is said that enough testimony aread
| has been secured TO warrant the belle
that at least one senator will be unseatcd
and il the examination goes to the bo
tom it is believed long list Of legal fec
! will be discovered proving every charg
made of tho cOrrupting influences @
, these corporations in Washington. Tn
complex character of the investigatio
| | required, and tho interests involved, pei
sonal and otherwise. demand the highe: